The Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) was a rocket engine development program intended to establish a technology base for nuclear thermal rocket systems for space missions, as this promised to be more efficient than chemical rockets. NERVA was a joint effort of the Atomic Energy Commission and NASA, and was managed by the Space Nuclear Propulsion Office (SNPO). NERVA was considered a successful program in that it met or exceeded its program goals and demonstrated that nuclear thermal rocket engines were a feasible and reliable tool for space exploration. At the end of 1968 the SNPO deemed that the latest NERVA engine, the XE (pictured), met the requirements for a human mission to Mars. It had strong political support but was canceled by President Richard Nixon in 1973. Although NERVA engines were built and tested largely with flight-certified components and were deemed ready for integration into spacecraft, they never flew in space.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NERVA

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1066:

William the Conqueror and his fleet of around 600 ships landed at Pevensey, Sussex, beginning the Norman conquest of England. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Conquest

1901:

Philippine–American War: Filipino guerrillas killed more than forty American soldiers in a surprise attack on the town of Balangiga on the island of Samar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balangiga_massacre

1928:

Scottish biologist and pharmacologist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin when he noticed a bacteria-killing mould growing in his laboratory. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Fleming

1975:

An attempted robbery of Spaghetti House, a restaurant in Knightsbridge, London, turned into a six-day hostage situation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_House_siege

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

linkrot: (Internet) The steady increase in the number of broken hyperlinks as webpages are moved or removed. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/linkrot

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

It is said in the Book of Poetry, "In silence is the offering presented, and the spirit approached to; there is not the slightest contention." Therefore the superior man does not use rewards, and the people are stimulated to virtue. He does not show anger, and the people are awed more than by hatchets and battle-axes.   --Confucius https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Confucius